📋 Tender Overview
As of February 1st new Software Assurance Deployment Planning Services days will no longer be allocated for any new or renewing Software Assurance. For customers who have existing days these can be used until 31st December 2021.Microsoft has announced it is fully retiring all Deployment Planning Services from Software Assurance in January 2022 but while customers can use their Planning Services days for on-premises engagements until this date cloud services have been removed. Instead Microsoft is pointing customers towards FastTrack as its primary implementation support offer for cloud.In the meantime you can still redeem any deployment planning days through the existing process from qualified partners or Microsoft Consulting Services although its worth pointing out that Software Assurance training days can no longer be used to convert to Planning Services days.There havent been any changes to the voucher redemption process however so if you have an outstanding voucher you still have 180 days to use this.Weve got a little bit of time before the changes kick in but understandably not everyones happy with the update disappointed that free training is being taken away from them. These days were an opportunity for customers to upskill their staff with sessions on Exchange or Sharepoint for example which could save them money in upgrading services.Although Microsoft has replaced these with cloud-focused offerings some feel these arent equivalent especially as this no longer results in qualifications.
